Death Is But Another Season

by Julie Anne Thornton

Each year, our family, like many others, looks forward to spending precious time together over the holidays.

We eagerly count down the days until that magical time when we: help the children hang a bundle of christmas ornaments on the fake-but-almost-real looking tree, frost three inch thick sugar cookies, listen to christmas carols until we just can't stand it anymore (this pertains more to Trent), and so on and so forth...

And thus the 2008 holiday season proceeded, the six of us running to and fro in our quest for the ultimate Christmas, blissfully unaware of the deeper spiritual repurcussions this particular Christmas would bring.

Aside from the gift-buying, party-going, food-consuming holiday Christmas has become; Trent and I do our best to direct our families thoughts on the Savior. Despite our best efforts, we still harbor small concerns as to whether our children feel the spirit of Christ as intimately as we'd like during our holiday celebrations.

This Christmas season, however, gifted us with a beautiful and personal reminder as to why we celebrate this sacred time of year.


About two weeks before Christmas, we received word that Trent's grandfather's health was failing, and he was not expected to live longer than a week. That evening, the six of us traveled to where Trent's grandfather lay bedridden, heavy with the knowledge this stop was more that just a casual visit; it was a good-bye.

The hour that followed was precious, as the spirit of peace enveloped us in its warm and tender hands. Trent's grandfather was fully conscious when we arrived-- a gift we will always cherish. Each of our children were able to wrap their little fingers in Great-Grandpa's large, knarled hands and tell him of their love for him. The return of love from Grandpa's eyes was unmistakable, and the spirit in the room was so strong, we knew it was a special and sacred time.

As I gave a final kiss on Trent's grandfather's wrinkled cheeks with tear-filled eyes and gently bade him farewell, an eternal truth echoed within the walls of my heart. "Families are Forever" it simply said, but the power behind its words consumed my entire being.



The funeral that followed was priceless, as our extended family and friends gathered around as we celebrated the life of an irreplacable father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. There were tears, yes, but also smiles and bubbles of laughter. It was a time of mourning, but also a time to celebrate life and love.



But, it does not end here.



The day after Christmas, we received another phone call informing us that my Grandmother's health was plummeting, and she was not expected to live longer than a week. The next morning, I received a second phone call from my father, informing me that my grandmother had passed peacefully away the prior evening.



Once again, we found ourselves driving to meet with extended family and friends to honor a beloved family member who's work on this earth was finished. We were blessed to reflect for a second time, on the life of a faithful woman who dedicated her life to church and family.



As we chatted with our extended familial network over scalloped potatoes and ceasar salad, I reflected on the unfathomable gift our Heavenly Father gave us with the birth of his son Jesus Christ; and on the unconditional love our elder brother holds for each one of us as he willingly sacrificed his life to fulfill the most precious of promises--eternal salvation.



So, that is why this Christmas was different from most. Why we held our children in our arms as we sat gathered around the brightly lit tree, and rehearsed to them again the great plan of salvation. And when my five year old with tears in her eyes said," But, I don't want you and Daddy to die," I could calm her fears with this promise, "Don't worry. We will always be together, because Jesus made it so we could."



And now, it is my prayer, that when the Christmas tree is pulled from the attic and "Jingle Bells" begins belting its famous tune over the air waves, my children will remember the unforgettable Christmas. The one that placed in their young hearts a personal witness regarding the truthfulness of forever families.